Biotechnology and Ethics: Human Cloning Part One
Frame One
Audio. Human cloning to produce a child seems not to be possible at this time, but it appears to be a matter of time before it would be. Even if it were possible, given current technology, it would be quite risky. Many object to pursuing such cloning due to risks. Other would object even if there were no risks. They view it as something like manufacturing humans, as disrespectful. Human cloning for research purposes is another matter, about which there is less agreement. We will examine various positions for and against both types of cloning.
In this section we will explore the issue of human cloning.
Today, in many places cloning is legally banned. Many people believe that it is immoral. Arguments supporting that conclusion often center on risks in cloning. At the current time, those risks are substantial.
We should add, that currently it seems that no human has been cloned, except for an embryonic clone that lasted only a few days. Cats and other mammals have been cloned.
Cloning is closely related to concerns involving embryonic stem cell research.
Some scientists believe that cloning to produce a human embryo from which stem cells can be derived might prove to be quite medically beneficial
We will examine two forms of cloning, cloning that is intended to aid stem cell research and human cloning with the intention of producing adults. Information. Techniques used in cloning to produce human stem cells, this would probably make it easier to produce adult humans by cloning.
Our main resource is a 2002 report by The President’s Council on Bioethics entitled Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry. It is available on the Web via links on the page: http://www.bioethics.gov/reports/cloningreport/
Please begin by reading the first three chapters.
Aside from safety issue, and currently cloning involves dangers, the issues about cloning to produce children tend to revolve around personal identity, the relationship between generations, and caring for and raising children.
In short, it involves issues like those that are raised with human enhancement. In bringing into the world a cloned child, that child has a genetic nature that is, in effect, engineered in a very exacting way. The genetic nature of such a child is more thoroughly determined for it. How will this affect a cloned child?
The president’s Council worries that such children will be “products” rather than “gifts.” They will no longer have a unique, or nearly unique, status, with a lineage that is a chance confluence of two lineages.
How would cloned children view themselves?
How would they view their “parents”? We are concerned about these issues despite current lack of success in cloning many types of animals, including humans. But since other animals, from cats to sheep, have been cloned, it seems like a matter of time before human children could be cloned.
Do you think that cloning to produce human children will widely practiced if it becomes safe and effective?
Yes.
No.
Many people believe that once something is technologically possible, it will occur. Besides, there may be pressure to use human cloning to gain desired traits and to help with infertility. Ability plus perceived need will eventually dominate.
Read the Council’s report, pages 19 – 22 about scientific milestones in cloning.